Purple vs. Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison

When it comes to mattress comparisons, two big contenders are the Tuft & Needle Original and original Purple mattresses. Both of these companies have changed the way we shop for new mattresses, but you might still be wondering which one is best for you. 

The Tuft & Needle all-foam mattress is great for budget shoppers, petite and medium-sized individuals. The Purple Original mattress is ideal for those who want a temperature-neutral, “floating” experience when they go to bed, along with unique cooling foam. While the Tuft & Needle will deliver a more “traditional” foam mattress feel, the Purple mattress offers a more high-tech gel top layer.

The flagship beds from Tuft & Needle and Purple are each stellar bed-in-a-box mattress picks with almost identical shipping, return and warranty policies. Keep reading our Tuft & Needle vs. Purple comparison to find out more differences between these two great mattresses.

Comparing Tuft & Needle and Purple 

Differences

• Comfort layer: The Purple is built with a proprietary Purple Grid comfort layer, and the Tuft & Needle features a more traditional polyfoam layer.
• Feel: The Tuft & Needle is known for a balanced foam mattress feel with its soft top layer, while the Purple is recognized for its gel-like feel.
• Sleep position accommodation: The Purple is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers of most sizes, whereas the Tuft & Needle mattress is better suited for all kinds of sleepers with petite and medium frames.

Similarities

• Pressure relief: Both the Tuft & Needle and Purple mattresses are designed to relieve pressure in the shoulders and hips in the sleepers. This comes from their foam constructions.
• Unique comfort layers: While using different materials, both mattresses have a comfort layer unique from any other bed-in-a-box brand. The T&N foam provides comfort without causing the sleeper to sink and the Purple comfort grid layer that is bouncy and delivers exceptional pressure relief around the body.

Who is the Tuft & Needle Mattress Best For? 

Best For…

• Lightweight and average-weight sleepers, who won’t put too much pressure on the Tuft & Needle’s all-foam mattress construction.
• Back and combination sleepers, who need a medium-firm to firm mattress and good responsiveness.
• People on a budget looking for a price point that won’t break the bank.

May Not be Best For…

• Larger individuals, who might be better served by a hybrid mattress with all-metal springs.
• Hot sleepers who want an exceptionally cool mattress or who need more cooling power than the T&N’s all-foam construction.

Read our full Tuft & Needle mattress review to learn more. 

Who is the Purple Mattress Best For? 

Best For…

• Hot sleepers who want breathability and the Purple bed’s gel construction.
• Back and side sleepers, who need a mix of comfort and support.
• Couples, who need adequate motion isolation in bed to maintain an undisturbed sleep.

May Not be Best For…

• Heavier individuals, who might sink through the Purple’s proprietary gel layer and end up sleeping right on the transition layer.
• Those with tighter budgets or who don’t want to shell out for a unique, technologically-advanced mattress.

Read our full Purple mattress review or Purple Mattress Comparison for more information. 

What to Consider When Picking A Mattress

Firmness / Feel 

We rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm. Firmness is established by the materials used in the top comfort layer and the density of the layers in the mattress core.

While both the Purple (6.5/10) and the Tuft & Needle (6/10) rate medium-firm on the firmness scale, they both accommodate different types of sleepers with their materials. The Purple is a great mattress for side sleepers, average to heavier weight, and back sleepers of almost any size. Tuft & Needle is the better mattress for combination sleepers and average-weight back sleepers.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is an important factor for couples who share the bed, especially for light sleepers. Some mattresses are designed to minimize the impact of certain motions, also called motion transfer.

Both the Purple and the Tuft & Needle feature good motion isolation, meaning that you won’t have to worry about your partner waking you up in the middle of the night if they toss and turn or if they get out of bed. However, Tuft and Needle is a bit better at isolating motion, because Purple does have that bouncy Smart Grid over the foam layers. For other memory foam mattresses that isolate motion, check out our picks on the best mattress for couples.

Edge Support 

Edge support matters for a variety of reasons. People who have trouble getting in or out of bed want a mattress that has proper support and won’t sag when sitting on the edge for too long.

Back and stomach sleepers also may need great edge support because they require better firmness to rest comfortably and use the whole bed. The Purple and the Tuft & Needle both have decent edge support, but you may experience some sinking if you sit on the edge of the bed for too long.

Pressure Relief 

Pressure point relief is beneficial for all kinds of sleepers. This aspect is closely tied to the materials used in the comfort layer, which determine how well a mattress conforms to your body when you sleep.

The Purple distributes weight across the comfort grid, making it a great pressure reliever. Meanwhile, the Tuft & Needle mattress allows medium and smaller sleepers to experience similar pressure relief.

Spine Alignment 

Like pressure relief, spine alignment is another important factor to consider when choosing a mattress. Depending on what position you sleep in, as well as your body type and weight, each mattress delivers varying levels of alignment.

Side sleepers find that the Purple gives them proper cushioning for their hips and shoulders, while back sleepers with lighter builds find similar comfort on a Tuft & Needle mattress. Back and stomach sleepers need firmer mattress that won’t cause their hips to sink in too far, resulting in back pain. See our list on the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for choices that protect the spine and hips while sleeping.

Durability 

The Purple is designed to last approximately seven to 10 years, with recommended rotations every three to six months. The Tuft & Needle will last around six years of regular sleeping with the same rotation schedule. Purple is more durable because the gel-polymer layer stands up longer than the T&N foams.

Cooling / Temperature 

The Purple’s unique grid allows it to channel airflow through the layer so that sleepers are kept cool and don’t have to worry about overheating while they rest. The Tuft & Needle mattress employs the use of ceramic cooling gel beads and graphite-infused foam, which wick away heat and moisture, keeping you relatively cool throughout the night as well. 

However, we find the Purple’s grid circulates airflow better and may prevent heat from enveloping around the sleeper. For more cooling options, see our list of the best cooling mattresses.

Tuft & Needle vs. Purple Mattress Construction 

Tuft & Needle Construction

The Tuft & Needle mattress is made of two primary layers that work together to deliver comfort for all types of sleepers. The top layer is a 3” slab of the company’s exclusive adaptive foam.

This material feels like a combination of memory foam and latex, providing slight bounce while properly responding to your body movements and curves. The bottom layer is 7” of a high-density support foam that is a blend of synthetic rayon and polyester. The entire bed measures 10” tall.

Purple Construction

Measuring at 9.25” thick, the Purple bed offers a unique construction, both inside and out. On the outside, the mattress features a cover made from a knit blend of polyester, Lycra, and viscose, which makes it soft and stretchy. Inside the cover, you’ll find the proprietary Purple Grid comfort layer that is unique to the brand.

With a hyperelastic polymer layer conforming to where the body exerts the most pressure, sleepers will experience a gentle “floating” feeling. This grid is also designed to keep the mattress and sleeper cool, so no more worrying about hot nights.

Underneath the grid is a transitional layer with 3.5 inches of high-density polyfoam to prevent sinkage. Finally, a 4” support layer of high-density polyfoam acts as a supportive core to reinforce the entire mattress and provide medium firmness.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

See our Purple Mattress Coupons and Tuft & Needle Coupons to get the best price on a new Purple or Tuft & Needle Mattress.

Shipping and Returns 

Tuft & Needle

Both the Purple and the Tuft & Needle come with free bed-in-a-box shipping anywhere within the contiguous U.S. Tuft & Needle offers a 10-year warranty on all of their mattresses, but they emphasize that you may need a purchase receipt to start the warranty process. The warranty covers defective materials and workmanship in the Tuft & Needle mattress. For an in-depth look, check out our Tuft & Needle mattress warranty guide. 

If you purchase a new Tuft & Needle mattress and find it’s not for you, no worries: the company has a 100-night sleep trial length during which they’ll allow you to return the mattress for a full refund. They’ll pick up the mattress for free.

There is a 100-night sleep trial length for both companies. If you choose to return either mattress within your trial period, it comes at no cost to you, and the company will provide free pickup.

Purple

Purple offers free shipping to any location in the contiguous U.S., just like Tuft & Needle’s shipping policy. They also offer a 100-night sleep trial period: if the customer is unsatisfied with the mattress during that time, they can return it for a full refund. 

The warranty length for the Purple mattress itself is 10 years, also exactly like Tuft & Needle’s warranty. However, there’s a separate two-year warranty for the mattress cover: if damages related to materials or workmanship are found in the cover during the first two years, Purple will repair or replace the cover. If there’s any damage during the warranty period, Purple says it’s the customer’s responsibility to pay shipping costs.

More Tuft & Needle Mattresses

See all: Comparing Tuft & Needle Mattresses

See our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress Review for more information.

Check out our full Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Review to learn more. 

More Purple Mattresses 

Read our full Purple Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

See our full Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Review for more info.

Haven’t found your new mattress yet? Check out these comparisons:

• Purple vs. Amerisleep
• Purple vs. Bear
• Purple vs. Casper
• Purple vs. GhostBed
• Purple vs. Helix
• Purple vs. Layla
• Purple vs. Leesa
• Purple vs. Lull
• Purple vs. Nectar
• Purple vs. Puffy
• Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic
• Tuft & Needle vs. Bear
• Tuft & Needle vs. Brooklyn Bedding
• Tuft & Needle vs. Casper
• Tuft & Needle vs. GhostBed
• Tuft & Needle vs. Helix
• Tuft & Needle vs. Leesa
• Tuft & Needle vs. Nectar

Our Final Take

The Tuft & Needle and the Purple are both fantastic mattresses with several similar qualities, but depending on what kind of sleeper you are, it’s best to look at each aspect carefully to find your perfect fit.

If you are someone who sleeps in a variety of sleeping positions, have a petite or medium build, and want an option that is more budget-friendly, we recommend the Tuft & Needle mattress. If you don’t mind spending extra money for premium quality, and you are a back sleeper with problems keeping cool at night, the Purple may be the best option for you.